- Stroke kidnaps his replacement, who escapes in time to win the race.
- Eric Barclay had been the stroke of the Phoebus Eight for so long that there seemed little likelihood of his ever giving place to a newcomer, and so he pulled the stroke oar steadily through the season of training before the big race, while Dick Moreton fumed on the bank, and impatiently cursed himself for being so poor an oarsman. It was not only on the river that Dick was made to feel his inferiority to Barclay. The athletic prowess and brilliant conversation of the older man were not without their effect on Violet Lanby, and when Barclay was about, poor Dick felt very much in the way. Barclay, filled with a due appreciation of his own merits, affected a sublime disregard for such trivial matters as the coach's orders, and formed the habit of appearing for practice anywhere from five to fifteen minutes after the appointed time. On one such occasion he discovered to his indignation that the shell had set off with Dick Moreton in his place. To his further dismay, he learned that the coach had grown tired of his dilatory tactics, had found much to praise in Dick's rowing, and had decided to give Barclay's place in the boat to Dick permanently. Barclay's true character was clearly shown in the light of his later actions. In the first place, he persuaded Barbara, Violet's sister, to endeavor to make Dick break training. When this scheme failed, Barclay went to Bill Whittle, a waterman, who had an ancient grudge against Dick. Whittle readily consented to Barclay's plan. On the day of the race. Whittle and two confederates overpowered Dick and shut him up in a deserted boathouse. When the time came for the crew to start, Moreton could not be found, and Barclay was given his old place as a matter of necessity. Dick strained at his bonds until his breath came in gasps and his heart nearly stopped. At length, he slipped out of them. Whittle, who had nodded on his watch, was no match for the unconquerable resolution that urged Dick on. One fierce blow, and Dick was running full-speed to the boathouse. He got there just in time to oust Barclay from his place and the Phoebus Eight won the race and, Dick won Violet.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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